anyone know how to safely disconnect the ampmeter gauge on a 64 valiant? also does anyone have any ideas on refacing the gauges? mine are faded and even though I only use the fuel gauge i'd like them to look nice.

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64' Valiant Signet 5.9, 64' Dart 170 moredoor 3.7, 67' A100 3.7, 00' Dakota SLT 4.7

First disconnect the battery from your car’s electrical system. Unbolt the two leads attached to the gage. Use a short bolt with nut, and bolt the two leads together securely. Than make sure that splice, or connection is well insulated by wrapping it with a good grade of electrical tape such as 3M’s #33. You don’t want this splice to short out against anything under the dash, as it is a direct link to the battery, so be diligent in your efforts.

Bill

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

I would recommend mounting a volt meter somewhere inside the cabin after you bypass the ammeter. It is a simple matter of bringing a lead from a full time battery terminal such as the cigarette lighter.

You can hang the gauge from below the dash if you wish from a mount designed for that. They are readily available at PEP Boys or other chain auto parts stores.

Sam

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A lot of folks just move the leads from one side of the ampmeter to the other this keeps the wires from being able to flop around under the dash. 3M 33 tape IS the best for electrical connections.
Frank

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Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

I'd like to add that after many years the ammeter nuts often seem to be almost spot welded in place - forcing them wrecks the ammeter. It's better to cut the cables close to the nuts and use a Dremel w/ #409 wheel to cut the nuts through and spare the ammeter.

If you bypass the ammeter, you really don't want to keep routing the power through the bulkhead either - so I came up with an alternate solution -
http://www.tidewatermoparclub.com/TECH/ ... shunt5.pdf

voltmeter installed a long time ago. Couldn't I also remove the power wire from the bulkhead that goes to the gauge to disconnect it?

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64' Valiant Signet 5.9, 64' Dart 170 moredoor 3.7, 67' A100 3.7, 00' Dakota SLT 4.7

Are the plastic lenses faded or the actual black gauge backing? Here is how to clear up the plastic

http://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40780

the black gauges. my plastic was cracked I made a new piece out of plexiglass. I dont really want to buy replacement gauges that I wont hookup. If I could just print out new faces that I could put behind the needles that would be ideal.

I put in a new harness under the hood and I omitted all the stock wiring to the voltage regulator, ignition and alternator,. I'm pretty sure that would have disconnected the gauge right there. I cant test for power since my car is half torn apart as it is.

my car is far from stock, 360, 5 speed, 8 3/4". basically the only under hood wiring I kept was for the lights, horn and starter relay

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64' Valiant Signet 5.9, 64' Dart 170 moredoor 3.7, 67' A100 3.7, 00' Dakota SLT 4.7

If you bypass the ammeter under the hood, the leads to the ammeter won't carry much current and it won't matter much if you remove them or not (unless you've got something connected to them, such as a radio memory).